If there’s one thing we have had to learn in this country, it’s to be spontaneous. Last week’s torrential down pours and massive lightening storm across Reading is testament to that!

Weather willing, there is no better way to be spontaneous than to pack up a bag of some delicious edibles and head for the hills, or the park, nearest National Trust property or, indeed, any green spot that feels remotely ‘outdoors’. Even the back garden will do!

But if you want to turn a picnic into a real treat then it’s well worth noting that Carluccio’s will pack an Italian inspired picnic, just for you.

This year sees the innovation of the children’s picnic box, which Taste simply had to road test.

Grabbing the nearest five and six year olds to sample the delights Carluccio’s has to offer wasn’t a problem. Arranging the weather was a tad harder.

But even spreading a picnic rug in the living room was worth it, simply to experience a full Italian picnic.

It’s also a great way of enticing young fussy eaters to try something different that’s also pretty healthy.

At just £10 a box this is good value. While Carluccio’s maintain the box serves one child, if the box we picked up is anything to go by, it definitely served two hungry children.

Two generous pieces of breaded chicken were served with a pasta and tomato salad, tuna mayonnaise (Italian style), delicious grissini sticks, carrot and celery sticks served with sticks of mild Asiago cheese and a chocolate novelty was the perfect treat to round it all off. The mini hamper also came with a bottle of top quality, freshly squeezed orange juice, plus a glorious tub containing several slices of Salame Milano; a great way to introduce little ones to the delights of top Italian flavours.

There was nothing in the box that should cause any child to say ‘yuck’, but plenty of opportunities to try something new and tasty.

Harrison Hammond, aged six, said of the hamper: “I liked all the little boxes of things. It’s fun to have things all packed up for you.

“liked the bread sticks, but the best bit was the chocolate car.”

Harrisons’s sister Poppy, aged five, said: “I really like the pasta and the chicken was very good. Can I have some more please?!”

For the grown-ups, a picnic box is rather more sophisticated!

Starting at £30 and rising to £45 and £60 for a real deluxe gourmet experience, the boxes represent value for money at the bottom end of the scale to an excuse to indulge someone special at the other end.

The £30 box includes home baked focaccia bread, a selection of fresh antipasti (chilli stuffed olives, sun dried tomatoes and delicious balsamic onions), chicken leg stuffed with mortadella and wrapped in pancetta and served in little slices, chickpea and tomato salad with provolone and rocket, buffalo mozzarella, tomato and black olive salad, two lemon tarts, a wedge of delicious Taleggio cheese plus fresh fruit, a bottle of Sicilian wine (red or white) and two bottles of Acqua Panna mineral water.

It really did feel like we were eating the best Italian food, and everything was freshly prepared to order and quite filling.

The more expensive hampers include more complex dishes like aubergine stew, Italian meat loaf, home baked chicken and mushroom savoury tarts and arbruzzo (tuna, bean, egg and cucumber salad).

Carluccio’s reckon their hampers really hit the spot: “Ideal for an impromptu trip to the park, an office outing or a family get together, these picnic boxes also offer the perfect accompaniment to special summer events such as Ascot, Glynebourne or the Henley Royal Regatta.

“Whatever the demands of your day out, whether it be an all-day escapade, a quick lunch, an inspired after-work treat or an al fresco family feast, all of Carluccio’s picnics come filled to the brim with delicious authentic Italian dishes, using only the freshest, seasonal ingredients.”

The only thing you have to remember – cutlery and plastic cups included – is to reserve them 24 hours in advance. Call Carluccio’s in Forbury Square, Reading on (0118) 958 3095 for more details or to order. For more details visit www.carluccios.com.